Hinge Arrangement for a Garment Washing Device

ABSTRACT

A bra-washing device includes a shell with an interior, the shell includes two shell portions, each with a rim. A latch holds the two shell portions closed and the latch may be opened to access the interior of the shell. A hinge pivotally couples the two shell portions to each other. The hinge includes at least one hinge knuckle extending from the rim of each shell portion, the hinge knuckles of the two shell portions in axial alignment, an internal bore extending into the hinge knuckles on each shell portion, a hinge pin inserted into the internal bore of the hinge knuckles, and a fastener extending at least partially through the internal bore near one end of the hinge pin to block the hinge pin from sliding out of the internal bore.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to devices for washing clothes.

In particular, embodiments relate to a hinge arrangement for devices forwashing brassieres.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brassieres are commonly made with two cups, two shoulder straps, twoback straps, a latching mechanism (hooks and eyelets), optional padding(soft foam, air, water, gel, or silicone), and, optionally, twounderwires. Padding can come as removable inserts or as an integral partof the bra. Some bras comprise extremely delicate fabric, such as lace,satin, silk, mesh, high-tech microfiber, stretch, and sheer fabric.

Thus, it is desirable to have a device which provides protection for thebra during a washing cycle in a conventional clothes washing machine.Preferably, the washing device also assists in maintaining the overallshape of the bra during a washing cycle. The washing device alsopreferably prevents any underwire from puncturing through the fabric ofthe bra and ruining the bra. One such bra washing device is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 6,742,683. The washing device of this patent consists ofan outer shell with two shell portions which are hinged together alongone side of the shell portions and which have a latch along an oppositeside of the shell portions. The shell can thus be opened to insert a brato be washed, and then the shell can be latched in a closed conditionprior to placing the washing device in the washing machine. When washingis completed, the shell can be opened via the latch to remove the washedbra.

The hinge structure of such a bra washing device includes knuckles orprojections which extend outwardly along a portion of the mating edge ofeach shell portion. These knuckles have a small internal bore into whicha metal hinge pin is inserted during manufacture of the device.Normally, a frictional fit between the internal bore and the hinge pinwill keep the hinge pin in place in the internal bore. However, when thewashing device is inserted into a washing machine, the water anddetergent in the washing machine reduce the friction between the hingepin and the internal hinge bore. Also, the pounding of he device by theagitator of the washing machine can dislodge the hinge pin and cause itto migrate out of the bore. Thus, the hinge pin may begin to slidepartially or entirely out of the internal hinge bore. Of course, if thehinge pin is partially out of the hinge bore, it may catch or snag onother clothes with the potential to damage or ruin the clothes. On theother hand, if the hinge pin comes entirely out of the bore, the washingdevice may open far enough to discharge the bra out of the device duringthe wash cycle. If the hinge pin slides out of the internal hinge bore,damage could also result to the washing device, particularly around thelatch of the device.

Various means have been tried to prevent the hinge pin from migratingout of the internal bore in the plastic hinge. For example, a raisedknurl at the entrance to the internal bore may keep the hinge pin inplace due to the greater friction against the hinge pin. However,manufacturing tolerances of the knurl and of the internal bore may causeexcessive stress in the plastic material of the hinge, which may causethe plastic to crack at a later time. The cracked hinge may beunsightly, may cause damage to other clothing in the washing machine,and/or may nevertheless cause a reduction of friction with the hinge pinand permit the hinge pin to migrate out of the internal bore. Thus,knurling of the plastic material is not a satisfactory solution tokeeping the hinge pin in its internal bore.

Heretofore, heat staking attempts were made to fill an end of the hingepin bore to prevent or block the hinge pin from sliding out of the bore.For example, a similar or compatible plastic material to that of thewashing device was melted about and into an end of the bore with a heatsource, such as a soldering iron. Frequently, the plastic fillingmaterial did not properly adhere to the plastic about the end of thehinge pin bore. In other instances, the agitation which a bra washingdevice experiences in a washing machine caused the fusing of the plasticmaterials to fail. Thus, fusing of the plastic materials around theentrance to the internal bore has also proven to be an unsatisfactorysolution to retaining the hinge pin in its bore.

Moreover, after melting plastic about the hinge pin bore to block thehinge pin from sliding out, the melted plastic was typically irregular,requiring further finishing of the appearance of the melted plastic. Forexample, sanding or grinding was frequently required to provide apresentable final product, and to remove any rough edges of the meltedplastic which could damage other clothes in the washing machine. Thismanual melting and finishing work was time consuming, and, therefore, anexpensive portion of the overall manufacturing cost of the washingdevice.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent a hingepin from migrating out of the internal bore of a hinge, especially in awashing device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofretaining a hinge pin in an internal bore of a hinge which is easy toteach and easy to accomplish, even by relatively unskilled productionworkers.

A further object of the present invention is to reduce the time and costof manufacturing a bra washing device, thereby enabling greaterefficiencies and higher volumes of manufactured product.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simplermethod of retaining the hinge pin in the hinge of a washing device whichfacilitates outside sourcing of the manufacture of the washing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of garment-washing devices are disclosed. In anembodiment, a bra-washing device includes a shell having an interior,the shell including two shell portions, each shell portion having a rim,and a latch which holds the two shell portions closed when the latch isclosed and the shell portions may be opened by releasing the latch toaccess the interior of the shell.

In an embodiment, a hinge pivotally couples the two shell portions toeach other. The hinge includes at least one hinge knuckle extending fromthe rim of each shell portion, the hinge knuckles of the two shellportions are in axial alignment, and an internal bore extends into thehinge knuckles on each shell portion.

In an embodiment, a hinge pin is inserted into the internal bore of thehinge knuckles, and a fastener intersects at least a part of theinternal bore near one end of the hinge pin to block the hinge pin fromsliding out of the internal bore. Preferably, the internal bore extendsonly partially into one of the hinge knuckles at one side of the hinge,and the hinge pin has a tapered end to facilitate insertion of the hingepin into the internal bore.

In an embodiment, an aperture is preferably defined in an end knuckle ofthe hinge such that the aperture intersects with the internal bore, andthe fastener is inserted into the hole to retain the hinge pin in theinternal bore. The fastener may comprise an eyelet or a rivet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained when thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments is considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an external view of a washing device according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of a junction between two halves of ashell of a washing device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a washing device with an insert according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2B is a different view of the washing device illustrated in FIG.2A.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a tab-slot connection between an insert and ashell of a washing device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an insert for a padded bra according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a device suitable for washing an unpadded braaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an insert suitable for washing an unpadded braaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a device suitable for washing a bra having prosthesisaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an insert suitable for washing a bra havingprosthesis according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a washing device with a shell and aninsert according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an upper shell half of a device including a latchmechanism according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a lower shell half of a device including a latchmechanism according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a latch mechanism for a washing device according toone embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of a latch mechanism for a washingdevice according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a partially exploded view of a washing device with abra according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a washing device which illustrates oneembodiment of a hinge arrangement for the upper and lower shellportions.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are enlarged views of one end of the hinge arrangementillustrated in FIG. 15.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedrequests. Note that the headings are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit or interpret the description orclaims. Furthermore, note that the word “may” is used throughout thisapplication in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, beingable to), not a mandatory sense (i.e., must). The term “include”, andderivations thereof, mean “including, but not limited to”. The term“coupled” means directly or indirectly coupled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood that the present invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thepresent examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notto be limited to the details presented herein.

FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B illustrate a washing device according to oneembodiment. Washing device 100 includes shell 102 and insert 104. Shell102 includes upper shell half 106 and lower shell half 108. Upper shellhalf 106 and lower shell half 108 may be pivotally connected at hinge109. Shell 102 may be opened by swinging upper shell half 106 away fromlower shell half 108. Insert 104 may be removed from shell 102 whenshell 102 is open. Shell 102 includes latch mechanism 110. Latchmechanism 110 may hold shell 102 in a closed position.

Device 100 may protect a garment from damage caused by the washer,dryer, or other clothing articles. Device 100 may protect bra underwiresfrom becoming bent or protruding from the bra and thus piercing itsfabric. In one embodiment, shell 102 and insert 104 are made out ofpolypropylene that is heat graded to protect it from heat damage.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, shell upper half 106 includes channel 115between outer rim 111 and inner rim 112. Shell lower half 108 includeschannel 114 between inner rim 128 and outer rim 126. Inner rim 112 ofupper shell half 106 may nestle in channel 114 of lower shell half 108when shell 102 is closed. Outer rim 126 of lower shell half 108 maynestle in channel 115 of upper shell half 106 when shell 102 is closed.Engagement of inner rim 112 in channel 114 and/or rim 126 in channel 115may inhibit lateral movement of upper shell half 106 relative to lowershell half 108. Engagement of inner rim 112 in channel 114 and/or outerrim 126 in channel 115 may also inhibit deformation of the shell halves(e.g., flexure, buckling) near the junction of the upper shell half andthe lower shell half. Inhibiting deformation may keep upper shell half106 and lower shell half 108 from separating when external loads areencountered during washing and/or handling of device 100. Engagement ofinner rim 112 in channel 114 and/or outer rim 126 in channel 115 mayalso alleviate stress on latch mechanism 110 and hinge 109.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, insert 104 includes tabs 120 (upper shellhalf 106 is not shown in FIG. 2A or 2B for clarity). Lower shell half108 includes slots 122. Insert 104 may be coupled with lower shell half108 by inserting each of tabs 120 on insert 104 in a corresponding slot122 on lower shell half 108. Tabs 120 of insert 104 and slots 122 oflower shell half 108 may be distributed at various points along thecircumference of lower shell half 108. At least one tab on an insert maybe partially (as shown in FIG. 2A) or fully opposed to one or more othertabs on the insert.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of one tab-slot connection between insert 104and shell 102. Insert 104 includes arm 124. Lower shell half 108includes outer rim 126 and inner rim 128. Outer rim 126 and inner rim128 define channel 114 in lower shell half 108. Lower shell half 108includes slot 122 at the bottom of channel 114. Arm 124 includes tab120. Tab 120 may be inserted in slot 122 on lower shell half 108. Arm124 may come to rest within break 130 in inner rim 128. When shell 102is closed, inner rim 112 of upper shell half 106 (shown in FIG. 1) mayhold arm 124 in place on lower shell half 106. In an similar manner,inner rim 112 of upper shell half 106 may hold other tabs 120 of insert104 in place in slots 122 of lower shell half 108. Thus, closure ofshell 102 may keep insert 104 in a relatively fixed position relative toshell 102.

In some embodiments, an insert may be coupled to a shell without tabs orslots. An insert may include pins, flanges, arms, or beams that connectto one half or both halves of a shell. For example, an insert mayinclude a pin or pins that plug into holes in one shell half In certainembodiments, an insert, form or divider may be permanently orsemi-permanently attached to an outer shell. An inner form connected bya hinge to an outer shell is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.6,742,683 to Phan.

FIG. 4 illustrates insert 104 when separated from shell 102. Insert 104includes upper insert half 140 and lower insert half 142. Each inserthalf includes form 144. Each of forms 144 may provide a contouredsurface to hold a cup of a bra. Forms 144 may have a contour similar tothe inner sides of the breast cup sides they are to be used with. Forms144 may help preserve the curvature of underwires and bra cups. Forms144 of upper insert half 140 and lower insert half 142 may be mirrorimages of one another, or they may be different. Forms 144 may includerounded portion 146, curved portion 148, and flat portion 150. Curvedportion 148 may be in the form of a fillet that provides a smoothtransition between rounded portion 146 and flat portion 150. The shapeof curved portion 148 (e.g., concave) may allow for space to accommodatepadding of a padded bra cup. Forms may have various shapes, such asspherical, s-shaped, slanted, flat, ovate, or irregular. Forms may beintegral to an insert, or they may be a separate element (e.g., attachedto an insert base).

When installed in shell 102, insert 104 may serve to divide internalvolume 154 of shell 102 into two halves. Referring to FIG. 2B, passages158 extend between the two halves. Insert 104 includes pocket 160.Pocket 160 includes opening 162. Pocket 160 may house one or more brastraps (e.g., when a bra cup of the bra is placed on each of forms 144).Pocket 160 can also house delicate accessories, such as removable brastraps, demi-pads, pushup pads, shoulder pads, hosiery, panties, andscarves. Passages 158 may accommodate an intercup bridge of a bra. Inone embodiment, passages may accommodate up to three bra intercupbridges, depending upon the thickness of the bra's cups.

In one embodiment, shell 102 has sufficient space to accommodate onethickly-padded bra, or two stacked semi-padded bras, or three stackednon-padded bras. When more than one bra is placed inside the protector,they may be stacked so that the front sides of the cups of the secondbra faces the breast sides of the cups of the first bra, etc.

In an embodiment, a system for washing garments includes a shell and twoor more inserts. Each insert may be interchangeably installed in theshell. The inserts may have different shapes. Each of the shapes mayaccommodate a different type or shape of garment. For example, oneinsert may have a form suitable for washing a padded bra and anotherinsert may have a form suitable for washing unpadded bras. A user of thedevice may select the appropriate insert or inserts for the garment orgarments the user desires to wash, dry, or store.

FIG. 5 illustrates a washing device for an unpadded bra according to oneembodiment. Device 170 includes insert 172. The shell of the deviceshown in FIG. 5 may be the same as that described above with respect toFIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B (for clarity, only lower shell half 108 is shown inFIG. 5). Insert 172 may couple with lower shell half 108 in the samemanner as insert 104 (shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A and 3).

FIG. 6 is a side view that illustrates insert 172 when not installed inshell 102. Insert 172 includes forms 174. Forms 174 may have more fullyrounded shape than that of forms 144 of insert 104. More rounded formsmay be better suited for holding a bra cup of an unpadded bra.

In some embodiments, a washing device may include a form suitable forwashing a garment that holds one or prosthetic devices (e.g., apost-mastectomy bra). FIG. 7 illustrates a washing device for a brahaving a prosthetic device according to one embodiment. Device 176includes insert 178. The shell of the device shown in FIG. 7 may be thesame as that described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B (forclarity, only lower shell half 108 is shown in FIG. 7). Insert 178 maycouple with lower shell half 108 in the same manner as insert 104.

FIG. 8 is a side view that illustrates insert 178 when not installed inshell 102. Insert 178 includes forms 180. Forms 180 may include flatsurfaces 182. Flat surfaces may accommodate a bra cup that carries abreast prosthesis. Forms for garment carrying a prosthesis may also be aconvex, concave, or other suitable shape. In one embodiment, a form fora garment carrying a prosthesis is customized for the garment. Washingdevices (e.g., device 176) can also be used for washing, drying, orstoring removable bra straps, demi-pads, pushup pads, shoulder pads,hosiery, panties, scarves and small clothing articles. Alternatively,such items may be washed in shell 102 without any insert.

In some embodiments, the opposing sides of an insert may have differentshapes. For example, an insert may include a rounded surface on one side(e.g., for an unpadded bra cup) and a flat surface on the other side(e.g., for a bra cup with a breast prosthesis).

Because inserts 104, 172, and 178 can each be inserted into a same shell(e.g., shell 102), a common shell can be used for washing differenttypes of bras. Although only three inserts are shown in FIGS. 2A-8, asystem may include less than three different inserts or more than threedifferent inserts. Inserts may be provided for garments other than bras.For example, inserts may be provided for items such as hats, gloves,scarves, hosiery, or slippers.

Insert 104, upper shell half 106, and lower shell half 108 may beforaminous, e.g., they may have numerous holes. These holes may allowwater, detergent, and air to freely penetrate to a bra inside (notshown) for thorough cleaning, drying, and storage. The numerous holesmay allow detergent, water, and air to freely and thoroughly penetrateand flow between the bras when a garment or garments (e.g., twosemi-padded or three non-padded bras are washed in the device. In oneembodiment, the diameter of each hole is about one cm. In oneembodiment, the holes are between about 0.5 cm and about 1.0 cm. Theholes may be smaller than the bra's shoulder straps, which will preventthe straps from falling out of the holes. Small holes may also preventbra's back straps and shoulder straps from losing elasticity and thehooks on the bra's back strap from catching onto other clothingarticles, zippers, buttonholes, the washer and dryer's crevices, as wellas the bra itself. In one embodiment, shell 102 has a diameter of about12 to about 16 cm with each half having about 60 to 80 holes (dependingupon the device's size, which is determined by the bra's cup size).Insert 104 may have about 40 to 70 holes. In some embodiments, a flange,web or other portion of an insert connecting a form may includeopenings. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, insert 104 includes holes inthe area of flat portion 150.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of a washing device accordingto one embodiment. Upper shell half 106 and lower shell half 108 includeshell openings 200. Insert 104 includes insert openings 202. In someembodiments, shell openings 202 are sized and shaped to inhibit the brastrap or portions thereof from extending outside of the shell. Holes maybe large enough for water, detergent, and air to penetrate, but smallenough to contain bra shoulder strap, back strap, and hooks, thuspreventing them from becoming tangled with other clothing articles andthe washer and dryer's crevices. Insert openings 202 may be larger thanshell openings 200. Relatively large insert openings 202 may allow forbetter flow through the insert, thereby increasing cleaningeffectiveness. Apertures (such as openings 200 or openings 202) in awashing device may be various shapes, including round, rectangular,square, trapezoidal, hexagonal, triangular, ovate, or irregular.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate latch mechanism 110. Referring to FIG. 10, uppershell half 106 includes tongue 210 and loop 212. Tongue 210 includeslatch projections 214. Tongue 210 may resiliently deflect when a load isapplied to latch projections 214 toward the interior of upper shell half106. U-shaped slot 216 may extend through the entire thickness of uppershell half 106, thereby creating a U-shaped gap between tongue 210 andloop 212.

Referring to FIG. 11, lower shell half 108 includes receptacle 220.Receptacle 220 includes exterior portion 222 and interior portion 224.Exterior portion 222 includes raised front wall surface 226, catch 228,and finger opening 230. Interior portion 224 includes back wall 232,sides 234, and rails 236. Raised front wall surface 226 and catch 228may shield tongue 210 from normal wear and tear. In addition, havingtongue 210 recessed may help keep device 100 from being accidentallyopening during washing, drying, and storage.

FIG. 12 illustrates latch 110 in a latched position. FIG. 13 illustratesa cross-sectional view of latch 110 in a latched position. As shown inFIG. 13, catch 228 includes catch tab 238. During operation of latchmechanism 110, tongue 210 and loop 212 are received in receptacle 220.Latch projections 214 slide over catch tab 238. The distal portion oftongue 210 deflects inwardly as tongue 210 and loop 212 advance intoreceptacle 220. When latch projections 214 slide beyond catch tab 238,tongue 210 may spring back outwardly such that latch projections 214extend into finger opening 230. Tongue 210 may snap into a latchedposition. Contact between latch projections 214 and catch 228 inhibitshell 102 from opening.

To open shell 102, a user may engage the upper edge of outer rim 126with one or more fingers and depress tongue 210 with the thumb of thesame hand. The user may push inwardly on latch projections 214 of tongue210 through finger opening 230 until tongue 210 bottoms out on back wall232. When tongue 210 bottoms out on back wall 232, a portion of latchprojections 214 (e.g., tips 239) may come just short of clearing catchtab 238. The user may exert an upward force on tongue 210 so as toovercome the resistance of latch projections 214 against catch tab 238and force latch projections 214 upward past catch tab 238. The inner endof catch tab 238 and/or back wall 232 may deflect at least slightlyunder the upward force of latch projections 214 so as to allow latchprojections 214 to pass catch tab 238. Thus, a user releases latchmechanism 110 by simultaneously applying force in two directions (e.g.,a force inward on tongue 210 against the resilient force of the tongue,and a force upward on tongue 210 against the resistance of catch tab238). A latch mechanism that opens by the application of a force in twodirections may be less prone to accidental opening during use in awashing machine. For example, in the embodiment described above, even iflatch projections 214 directly strike a pointed surface (e.g., part ofthe agitator of the washing machine) when the device is agitated withinthe washing machine (thereby applying an inward force to tongue 210),latch mechanism 110 may remain latched because there is no upward forceto impel latch projections 214 over catch tab 238.

As noted above with respect to FIG. 11, interior portion 224 ofreceptacle 220 includes rails 236. Loop 212 on upper shell half 106 maycontact rails 236 when tongue 210 and loop 212 are inserted intoreceptacle 220. Contact between loop 212 and rails 236 may inhibit theupper portion of tongue 210 from deflecting inwardly. In someembodiments, contact between loop 212 and rails 236 may inhibit latchmechanism 110 from opening accidentally during washing.

In certain embodiments, a tongue may be relatively short such that arelatively large force is required to deflect the end of the tongue. Forexample, in one embodiment, slots of loop 216 (shown in FIG. 12) do notextend above the top of inner rim 112 (i.e., would not be visible inFIG. 12) when shell 102 is closed.

FIG. 14 illustrates placement of a bra in a washing device according toone embodiment. As noted above, insert 104 can be removed from shell102. When insert 104 is removed, one or more bras can be stacked insidethe shell. When washing, drying, or storing one bra in the device, thebra may be placed with its bra cup's front sides facing the interiorsurfaces of shell 102. If a second bra is placed into the device, thesecond bra's front sides face the first bra's breast sides. In certainembodiments, a third bra may be placed within the device. The thirdbra's cup front sides face the second bra's breast sides. After all brasare positioned in shell 102, insert 104 may be installed on lower shellhalf 108. Shoulder straps and back straps of both the first and secondbras are tucked into pocket 160. Shell 102 may be closed. In analternate method, a garment may first be arranged on or in an insert,and then the insert installed (with garment) into the shell.

Multiple bras can be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and stored. When twosemi-padded or three non-padded bras are simultaneously washed in thedevice, holes may allow detergent, water, and air to freely penetrateand flow between the bras to thoroughly wash and dry as well as safelystore each bra, including a middle placed bra when three bras areconcurrently washed.

In an embodiment, FIG. 15 illustrates an example of the hinge 109 forthe shell 102 in greater detail. Hinge 109 is generally disposed on aside of the shell 102 which is approximately opposite from the latchmechanism 110, and hinge 109 permits opening of the upper and lowershell portions 106, 108 when the latch is released. Hinge 109 consistsof a plurality of knuckles 190-196 which extend outwardly from the rimsof the upper and lower shell portions 106, 108. For example, knuckles190, 192, 194 and 196, which extend outwardly from the upper shellportion 106, are spaced apart such that knuckles 191, 193, 195 whichextend outwardly from the lower shell portion 108 fit between the spacedapart knuckles 190, 192, 194 and 196, such as in an alternating sequenceor arrangement.

When all of the knuckles 190-196 are fitted together and arranged asshown in FIG. 15, the knuckles are in axial alignment, such that aninternal bore or cylindrical hole 197 extends through knuckles 191-196and partially into knuckle 190. That is, preferably the internal bore197 does not extend entirely through knuckle 190. Otherwise, a hinge pin198 (FIG. 16A), which is inserted during assembly of the washing deviceinto the bore 197 at knuckle 196, could be susceptible of migrating outof either knuckle 196 or knuckle 190. For example, hinge pin 198 may beabout 0.093 inches (0.24 cm) in diameter.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are enlarged views of one end of the hinge 109 shownin FIG. 15; particularly that portion of hinge 109 which consists ofknuckle 196. In the partially exploded view of FIG. 16A, the hinge pin198, may have a tapered end 199 to facilitate insertion of the hinge pininto the internal bore 197 at knuckle 196 of hinge 190. A hole oraperture 251 disposed in knuckle 196 intersects partially or fully withbore 197. As shown in FIG. 16A, hole 251 is disposed perpendicularly tobore 197. When the hinge pin 198 is fully inserted into bore 197, thenear end of hinge pin 198 does not block hole 251 (FIG. 16B), such thata fastener, such as a rivet or an eyelet 250, or such as a screw or thelike, may be inserted into hole 251 to block hinge pin 198 frommigrating out of the bore 197 at knuckle 196.

As seen in FIG. 16B, eyelet 250 has a flared or capped end 252 whichcomes to rest on one side of knuckle 196 when it is inserted into hole251. Eyelet 250 is of sufficient length that the other end 253 of eyelet250 protrudes from hole 251. End 253 may be then flared, such as by aconventional riveting process. Eyelet 250 is then secured in hole 251 bythe capped end 252 resting against one side of knuckle 196 and by flaredend 253 resting against the opposite side of knuckle 196. Eyelet 250 maybe partially or entirely hollow. In the example shown in FIG. 16B, acylindrical hole 254 extends entirely through eyelet 250.

Preferably, eyelet 250 is of a soft non-rusting metal, such as aluminum,such that the flaring of end 253 of the eyelet can be accomplishedwithout damage to the plastic material of knuckle 196. Thus, hinge pin198 is prevented from migrating out of bore 197 by eyelet 250 whichblocks the bore 197.

As used herein, “shell” includes any element that at least partiallyencloses, houses, or covers one or more other objects. Examples of suchobjects include garments, dividers, forms, inserts, and accessories. Ashell can be any of various shapes, including spherical, cubic,egg-shaped, rectangular, clam-shaped or irregular. A shell can have onepart or more than one part. For example, a shell may have two halvesthat are connected by a hinge. A shell may have closed or open surfaces(e.g., surfaces having openings).

As used herein, “location” refers to a location of something in space. Alocation may be a three-dimensional area, zone, or region. For example,a location may be the internal volume on one side of a shell of abra-washing device. The volume may be bounded, for example, by the innersurfaces of a shell. As used herein, “in a location” includes a specificlocation (e.g., in direct contact with an insert) or a general location(e.g., anywhere within a desired half of the volume of a sphericalshell).

As used herein, “divider” includes any element that at least partiallydivides a volume into two or more portions. For example, a divider maydivide the inner volume of a shell into two equal hemispheres. A dividermay divide a space into equal portions or unequal portions.

As used herein, “garment-washing water” means a solution or mixture thatincludes water and soap, detergent, or other composition(s) for cleaninggarments.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention shown and described hereinare to be taken as embodiments. Elements and materials may besubstituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts andprocesses may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may beutilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in theart after having the benefit of this description of the invention.Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the followingclaims. Terms relating to orientation, such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”,“bottom”, “left”, or “right”, are used for reference only; the deviceherein may be used in any orientation.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects.

1. A bra-washing device, comprising: a shell having an interior; theshell including two shell portions, each shell portion having a rim; alatch which holds the two shell portions closed when the latch is closedand which may be opened by releasing the latch to access the interior ofthe shell; a hinge which pivotally couples the two shell portions toeach other, the hinge comprising: at least one hinge knuckle extendingfrom the rim of each shell portion, the hinge knuckles of the two shellportions in axial alignment, an internal bore extending into the hingeknuckles on each shell portion, a hinge pin inserted into the internalbore of the hinge knuckles, and a fastener extending at least partiallythrough the internal bore near one end of the hinge pin to block thehinge pin from sliding out of the internal bore.
 2. The bra-washingdevice of claim 1, further comprising: an aperture is defined in an endknuckle of the hinge, the aperture intersects with the internal bore,and the fastener is inserted into the aperture to keep the hinge pinfrom migrating out of the internal bore.
 3. The bra-washing device ofclaim 1, said fastener entirely blocking the internal bore to preventthe hinge pin from sliding out of the bore.
 4. The bra-washing device ofclaim 1, said fastener comprising an eyelet.
 5. The bra-washing deviceof claim 1, said fastener comprising a rivet.
 6. The bra-washing deviceof claim 1 wherein the internal bore extends only partially into one ofthe hinge knuckles at one side of the hinge.
 7. The bra-washing deviceof claim 1, said hinge pin having a tapered end to facilitate insertionof the hinge pin into the internal bore.
 8. The bra-washing device ofclaim 1, further comprising: a plurality of apertures disposed in saidshell, said plurality of apertures sized to inhibit a bra strap fromextending through the shell.
 9. The bra-washing device of claim 1,further comprising: a divider insertable into the interior of the shell,the divider comprising at least one form for at least a portion of a bracup.
 10. The bra-washing device of claim 8, wherein the divider couplesto one rim of one of the shell portions.
 11. The bra-washing device ofclaim 1, wherein a rim of one of the shell portions includes a lip, anda rim of the other shell portion includes a channel, the lip on one ofthe shell portions couples into the channel in the other shell portionwhen the shell is closed.